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Hosted annually by the American Sportfishing Association, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) is the largest gathering of recreational angling manufacturers in the world. From fly-fishing to big game and everything in between, ICAST showcases the newest products from the industry’s top manufacturers. Here are some products that stood out from ICAST 2024.
Gemlux Accessory Pole
The new Gemlux Accessory Pole, available in 6-foot, 8-foot and 12-foot lengths, offers performance and functionality to various jobs in the cockpit. Compatible with all Shurhold accessories and featuring anti-rotation technology, these poles ensure precise alignment of attachments ranging from deck brushes to GoPro mounts to fixed gaffs. Perhaps the most attractive feature is the collapsible design for easy storage, saving you space and hassle. gemlux.com
Shimano Talica 20IIA and 25IIA
Whether you’re pursuing marlin, tuna or other formidable ocean predators, the new Talica 20IIA and 25IIA reels are up to the challenge. The oversize “T-bar” reel handle is a brilliant upgrade, and Shimano’s Infinity Drive technology produces up to 40 percent lighter rotation during high-drag situations. With these upgrades, anglers can maintain control and power even during the most intense battles. fish.shimano.com/en-us
Benchmade Water Collection
The newly launched Water Collection from Benchmade brings the iconic brand’s tradition of quality to the cockpit, bridge and fillet table. Receiving top honors in its category at ICAST 2024, this comprehensive lineup of American-made knives is made with corrosion-resistant CPM-MagnaCut stainless steel and crafted to withstand the harshest of elements and environments. benchmade.com
Danco Premio USA Offshore Pliers
The Premio USA 7” Offshore pliers from Danco Sports are machined from solid aerospace-grade titanium and feature shorter, stronger jaws and an integrated crimper. These pliers come with a full-grain leather sheath, an elastic lanyard and a titanium split ring. The team at Danco Sports partnered with Cerakote to add its proprietary finish on the new Premio USA pliers. dancopliers.com
Penn Fathom Electric
If you win the Best of Show Award at ICAST, chances are you’ve done something right. Penn’s new cordless Fathom Electric changes the game for electric reels. Offered in 30, 50 and 80 models, the reel’s powerful electric motor utilizes a lithium-ion battery and comes standard with a large LED display screen. While not beefy enough to haul your dredges, the Fathom Electric is ideal for kite-fishing, pulling teasers and deep-dropping up to 1,000 feet. pennfishing.com
Raymarine Smart Drift
Gauging the wind, tide and current to repeatedly position your baits over a specific area on a drift is extremely challenging. The new Smart Drift technology from Raymarine takes the guesswork out of your drift and replaces it with hard science. Available for Axiom chart plotters running LightHouse 4.7 or newer, Smart Drift calculates where and when you need to begin your drift to position your boat over the desired location. raymarine.com/en-us
AFTCO Dehooker
Releasing a marlin or any sizable gamefish can be risky for both the wireman and the fish. With AFTCO’s new Dehooker you can safely remove hooks from billfish, sharks and more, thanks to the functional design that allows you to either push or pull the hook from the fish’s mouth at a safe distance. Made with 316 stainless steel and an 18-8 stainless spring button, the new AFTCO Dehooker is also built to last and resist corrosion. aftco.com
Under Armour Charged Shoreman Deck Boot
Winner of the ICAST 2024 Footwear category, the Under Armour Charged Shoreman stands out as the lightest model on the market, weighing less than 15 ounces. Modeled after the brand’s athletic footwear but tailored for life in the cockpit, the Charged Shoreman ensures peak performance without sacrificing comfort or durability. underarmour.com
Fathom Offshore Vivid Squid
Designed specifically for dredges, teaser chains and spreader bars, the Fathom Vivid Squid features a strikingly lifelike design and thoughtful engineering to prevent annoying line slippage. Infused with a UV additive that reacts with natural light to produce a glow, Fathom Offshore’s Vivid Squid is the next best thing when trolling offshore. fathomoffshore.com
Costa Gold Mirror Lens in Grand Catalina
“One lens. All waters.” That’s the motto Costa had in mind when designing its Gold Mirror 580G lenses. Featuring 100 percent polarization and Costa’s 580 color-enhanced technology, Costa’s new Gold Mirror is built for performance regardless of the conditions. Paired with the remastered Grand Catalina frames, the duo earned Best in Show for the Eyewear category at ICAST 2024. costadelmar.com/en-us
